Montana Summer Travelers Face New TSA Marijuana Rules

Travel season is ramping up in Montana, and that means a lot more people will be heading to the airport this summer. One of the biggest parts of air travel is getting through TSA security.

TSA's Updated Policies: Medical Marijuana Regulations

Now, TSA has quietly updated some of its marijuana policies, and a lot of travelers are just now starting to notice. According to TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” section on its website, medical marijuana is now listed as allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage under certain conditions.

Understanding TSA's Focus: Security Over Substance

Here is what the website says:

TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance or evidence of criminal activity is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.

That does not mean travelers can suddenly pack large amounts of marijuana and fly anywhere they want. Marijuana laws still vary by state, and federal laws continue to apply at airports and during air travel. There are still questions about how much is allowed and what documentation may be required, as the TSA site notes there are “special instructions” connected to the updated listing.

Before anyone decides to test the limits before a summer trip, it is important to double-check the latest information directly from TSA.gov and make sure you fully understand the laws both where you are departing and where you are landing.